Ask Dog Lady: What dog is right for me?

Friday

Dog Lady offers advice to someone looking for the perfect breed, and to an owner who can't tell if her dog likes her.

Dear Dog Lady,

After studying the AKC (American Kennel Club) standard of breeds, I had come to the conclusion that a pug was the perfect dog for me.

But after reading further, I became aware that the fawn-color pug was double-coated and that the black pug sometimes had just a single coat. I'm beginning to think I may have chosen the wrong breed for me, since I do not want a heavy shedding dog.

My perfect dog would be one that weighs somewhere between 10 and 25 pounds with a sweet disposition, very little grooming required, and not overly active.

I also don't care for coats on the Bassett hound or Boston terrier. It seems that when I pet those kind of dogs, I get a bad odor on my hands.

I'm also considering a cat, although I do believe that a dog displays his personality more and is more personable.

I realize there are probably no perfect dogs, but do you think you can help me? Or is there no hope?

-- Thomasine

Oh, there’s always hope. You just have to look for it. And it sounds as if you’re peeking under every rock. Relax. Your perfect dog may very well find you.

It’s good to be picky about choosing a dog that will not cause heavy allergies and agita. Beyond that, there is little assurance the dog will be a perfect pristine angel.

All dogs – from 2-pound teacup Chihuahuas to 185-pound Irish wolfhounds – stink at some point in their lives. To wit, even the best-trained dogs love to roll in disgusting stuff because such activity is in their genes.

In the weight range you specify, there are plenty of wonderful dogs – the West Highland white terrier and the poodle are a couple of notable hypoallergenic breeds. They do require clipping. There are also many mutts deserving of notice – from poodle mixes such as cockapoos and Maltipoos to terriers mixes of various stripes.

You’ve done your due diligence with book and Internet research. You know what you don’t want. Now, go out and start looking for what you do want. If you’re open to a pet in your life, you will find your prince – and not have to kiss many frogs.

Dear Dog Lady,

How do I tell if my dog likes me? My 1-year-old Australian shepherd, Buddy, doesn’t look at me with the same adoring eyes as my other dogs have done.

-- Marianne

A dog’s eyes can be a window to the human soul. We sometimes read our own insecurities into pets’ body language.

Dogs are not punitive creatures by nature. They love indiscriminately. We hear heart-wrenching stories of intense canine loyalty. If your Buddy is even-tempered, comes when called and is unafraid to eat out of your hand, you can assume your dog trusts you.

Perhaps you seek too much, too fast. Your dog is still a pup and the bonding process is not complete. You probably don’t look adoringly at Buddy either.

As the two of you become more attached, the eyes will mirror the deepening relationship.

If it’s any comfort, Dog Lady’s darling, a terrier, keeps to himself. When a freeze-dried liver chunk hangs over his head, he gazes longingly. Hearing the word “squirrel,” he locks his eyes in intense desire. His facial expressions are open to interpretation. Just be good to your dog. The adoring eyes will follow.

Monica Collins offers advice on dogs, life and love. Her website is www.askdoglady.com. Contact her at askdoglady@gmail.com

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